Stena RoPax completes lengthening project in Turkey

The RoPax vessel Stena Scandica, formerly Stena Lagan, is about to re-enter service, having completed a project at Sedef Shipbuilding in Turkey to increase cargo capacity by about 30%. The vessel was split in half to enable the addition of a new 36m-long section.

Following a celebration at the Turkish yard to mark completion of the project, the Stena Scandica is now at sea, bound for northern Europe, where it will resume service on the company’s route between Nynäshamn and Ventspils in Latvia.

The larger vessel, with a passenger capacity of 970, now has a length of 222m and cargo space of 2,875 lane metres. Eighty new cabins have been added, taking the total to 202, and the ship’s interior has been modernised, with new shops, upgraded passenger lounges and a new sundeck aft.

The project included a redesigned bow section which now enables simultaneous drive-through loading and unloading. Together with internal ramps in both directions, port calls will be significantly shorter, Stena RoRo said. Other features of the project include extra bow thruster capacity, installation of hybrid emissions scrubbers, and a new ballast water treatment system.

Stena RoRo AB’s managing director, Per Westling, commented: “Extending a vessel is a cost-effective way of increasing cargo capacity, while gaining room for more passengers. The new interior design and application of modern technology entail an upgraded passenger concept, with more efficient operation and reduced emissions per cargo unit."